1999 · 25 years old at test · Petrol mostly

1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK MOT pass rate and common faults

1,249 MOT tests in 2024. 69.6% passed first time, compared with 63.3% for all cars the same age.

110Well above average
Passed first time69.6%
Failed or needed repairs30.4%
Typical mileage at test87,000

Most common reasons for failing

Share of all 1,249 tests where this item caused a failure.

  1. Stop lamp: not working5.0%
  2. Headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect2.3%
  3. Coil spring: fractured or broken2.2%
  4. All direction indicators: not working1.9%
  5. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded1.9%
  6. Position lamp: not working1.8%
  7. Washers: provides insufficient washer liquid1.8%
  8. Lamp: inoperative1.7%
  9. Service brake performance: excessively binding1.5%

Problem areas

Failure items found per 100 tests, by part of the car.

  1. Lights & electrics29.2%
  2. Brakes10.0%
  3. Visibility (wipers, screen, mirrors)6.6%
  4. Suspension6.3%
  5. Emissions & leaks5.0%
  6. Tyres4.5%
  7. Body & chassis3.0%
  8. Seat belts & airbags1.6%

Most common advisories

Not failures yet, but things the tester warned about.

  1. Rigid brake pipes: excessively corroded16.4%
  2. Tread depth below requirements of 1.6mm11.6%
  3. Tyres - condition: has a tear, caused by separation or partial failure of its structure11.0%
  4. Sub-frame: corroded and seriously weakened9.1%
  5. Wheel bearings: has excessive play6.8%

What this means if you are buying one

This model year does better than most cars its age, so it is a reasonable used buy on MOT record alone. Before buying, check the area that fails most: stop lamp: not working. Then look up the car's own MOT history on GOV.UK with its number plate, and look for repeat advisories.

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Questions

What is the MOT pass rate for a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK?

In 2024, 69.6% of 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK cars passed their MOT first time, across 1,249 tests. The average for all 25-year-old cars was 63.3%.

What are the most common MOT failures on a 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK?

The most common failure reasons were stop lamp: not working; headlamp aim: projected beam image is obviously incorrect; coil spring: fractured or broken. The biggest problem area was lights & electrics.

Is the 1999 Mercedes-Benz SLK reliable at MOT time?

Its MOT Rank score is 110, which is well above average for a car of its age (100 means exactly average).